Game 2 preview: More on that Bieksa move, Sharks mindset after win, faceoff cheating and more

VANCOUVER — Not that anybody would expect differently, but the Sharks played down any talk of repriasals against Canucks defenseman Kevin Bieksa for that quickly rising stick on Marty Havlat’s last shift in Game 1.

“Marty’s not playing today and I guess that’s all that’s important,” Todd McLellan said. If there was a situation that somebody crossed the line, it could have been dealt with on the ice or after.”

Raffi Torres will be taking Havlat’s place on a line with Logan Couture and Patrick Marleau, and given his reputation and playing style in the past, might be part of any payback plan.

“No, no. absolutely not,” Torres said. “Stuff like that’s going to happen in a game. you can’t worry about what’s being said off the ice or who did what to whom. It’s all irrelevant. You’ve got to go out there and play the game and that’s it. You leave it on the ice and you don’t focus on who did what.”

Moving on.

****The Sharks, of course, would be in an incredibly good spot if they win Game 2 after taking the opener. Most teams would be happy going home with a split.

“No, we’re greedy,” captain Joe Thornton said when that point came up. “We want to come in and win tonight. You try to win every game and this is no different.”

But, yes, he agreed to the suggestion that the Game 1 win allows the Sharks to be a little looser tonight.

“Yeah, just more confident,” Thornton said. “Off of Game 1, grab as much confidence as you can and build from there.”

On the other hand, some Sharks talked about the need to treat tonight’s game as if they were 0-1 and not 1-0. McLellan liked that notion.

“I think that would be a good approach on our behalf to make sure the intensity matches what they’re going to bring,” the coach said. “I think they’re going to be better and we have to match that. Rather than feel real good about ourselves, I’d rather us be on edge, on our toes.”

****Vancouver Coach Alain Vigneault suggested yesterday that the Sharks were having so much success in the faceoff circle (57 percent in Game 1) because they get away with cheating. Exactly the kind of stuff you’d expect at this time of the year, no?

This was McLellan’s response today:

“One of these days coaches are going to end up coming in here with their video equipment and playing four or five faceoffs and then we would throw out the theory about who’s cheating and whatnot,” the Sharks coach said. “You know what? Faceoffs are about puck possession in my opinion and we need to do it better than they can. It doesn’t mean it’ll happen tonight, but it did in Game 1, and all the more power to us.”

I’ll just add that the list of centers who don’t try to get away with something in the faceoff circles is a lot shorter than the list of those who do. And that doesn’t depend on the color of your jersey.

****McLellan wouldn’t confirm that Tim Kennedy will take Havlat’s place in the lineup, but all indications — mostly, the line rushes at practice — are that is the case.

Kennedy has some experience to draw from, having played in the 2010 post-season with Buffalo, contributing 1 goal and 2 assists in six games against the Boston Bruins.

What does he take from that short run?

“That the level steps up a notch, that the game’s harder, you have less room to make plays and small mistakes really hurt you,” the 27-year-old left wing said.

Kennedy had two goals for the Sharks in 13 games this season, but was either injured or a healthy scratch between March 10 and the final game against the Los Angeles Kings.

“That’s always tough because you always want to play but the team is on a pretty good roll,” Kennedy said. “As a professional you just have to do what’s best for the team. You’d rather be here than in the minor leagues.”

David Pollak

David Pollak has been following the NHL forever and at the Mercury News as an editor or reporter since 1987. For almost a decade he wrote about the Sharks as the paper's Fan in the Stands before joining the sports department in 2001. He became the Sharks beat writer before the 2007-08 season and began this blog at that time. You can also follow him on Twitter at @PollakOnSharks.

Boy, if we can win with less than our A game, come home up 2-0, and we’ve owened the Nucks this year, is it too crazy to think sweep? Then get some rest before next series? Wow.

And Brody Brazil talking to Rafi about a character win – that is surreal. Not sure how Brody defines character.

Stevo

Curb the enthusiasm until Sharks get 4 in the bag, but it sure looks semi-good. I’m not seeing great hockey from them yet. Thought they played better in Gm1. Didn’t take their foot off the gas as much as they did in this game.

Once they were down 2-1, they got back on their horses. That can’t let that happen too many times without getting burned.

Stevo

**I’ll** curb the enthusiasm…

Pucky

Great night for bay area sports…Buster walk off v LA!!

MLBSF

SanJoseCupCrazy says:
May 3rd, 2013 at 10:28 pm

This is a DIFFERENT team….. LOVE IT!
—-

Oh please.

Glad you’re on the bandwagon. You’re the one who loved the team with Murray and Clowe and were perfectly happy not to see any changes.

We were the ones screaming for changes. Not you.

smh

Lisa

252 Stevo

True that. Also with each round, the Sharks will be facing a tougher opponent. Sharks better not get into bad habits playing the Canucks, because the Sharks will have to pay the piper at some point down the line.

Stevo

I’m Ryane Clowe. My team is in the playoffs and I’m injured. I watch my old team kicking butt. I’m watching my replacement, Raffi freakin Torres, make big contributions to help his team win it’s first 2 playoff games.

Curse the hockey gods, I do.

Lisa

255 MLBSF

“We were the ones screaming for changes.”

Gotta agree with you there. You and only a handful of other WTC Sharks fans were vocal and adamant about the team needing big changes. You deserve credit for sticking to your guns.

Huh?

Rafi scored more goals tonite than Clowe did for the Sharks all season. And I’ll be Clowe loves the neon lights in NY. And the wonderful, loving, caring, fuzzy-warm fans. His kind of town. Sure. Clowe goes scoreless next year he’ll wish he was on the north pole in the polar bear league.

DeanH

Fantastic win by the Sharks!!! Yeah the Sharks let it get away as Vancouver threw everything they could at them for most of the second half of the game and Kesler really raised his game. But they raised their game just in time.

I really get on Marleau sometimes but he came through in the clutch so props to Paddy.

Also congrats to DW and TMac for bringing in Torres and moving Burnsy to forward. The Vancouver media are really impressed with the way this Sharks team has reinvented itself mid-season and that’s because of management and coaching.

Ok boys, only half way there so keep it going. Can’t wait for game three at the Shark Tank, it should be awesome.

Incidentally, Vancouver won puck possession — Corsi was 50 to 70, though shots on goal were about even. Vancouver did a great job keeping those off net.

Pucky

Stevo…why so bitter on Clowe?

Stevo

We all remember certain people screaming for “changes” but not one of them said to make any of the moves that DW actually made at the deadline; proving their measure/ of hockey insight.
So, it’s not logical to give them props, imo.

A broken clock is right twice a day, and whatnot.

Stevo

Mr. Havlat, go have a beer with Mr. Clowe.

WI JP

Interesting to read the comments from game beginning to ending, Oh Candles In The Wind.

Would be nice if the fans picked up the team occasionally, instead of vice versa.

Nite. JP

Stevo

Pucky,

Not bitter at all. I was doing a comedy sketch of us reading his imaginary thoughts. He’s such a competitor that he must be hating the fact that he’s not on the ice, and his old mates are having a ball so far in the post season.

That’s why I added the “curse the hockey gods, I do” at the end.

SactoShark

Agreed JP

Phil

Pucky @ 243 –

Bertuzzi could be the nicest guy in the league now. Doesn’t mean I think he should be allowed to play. That’s pretty much how I feel about Torres. Say what you will about it — it’s an opinion. That’s my opinion.

And, while it’s true he was the #5 pick, I still think you’re overselling his skills. His best season was half a point a game. Clowe’s worst season — this one — was half a point a game.

Johnny San Jose

MLBSF — your anger and misery is non-contagious. Great win! Two good road games. Weather the storm and take advantage of your opportunities. The Sharks were snakebit a few times this game. They remained composed and cashed in when they needed.

Johnny San Jose

Marleau now has more playoff goals than Jeremy Roenick.

Phil

JSJ @ 271 –

Yeah — I love that. Here’s to hoping we win the cup in two straight years so that he can say “I can’t hear Jeremy. I’ve got two Stanley Cup rings plugging my ears –“

BuddyElf

Not using an avatar this time…

Just had to pop in to say:

MLBSF: All of the changes you wanted, never happened. You werent just calling for changes like you claim now…

TJ Galiardi, a part of the McGone trade that you loathed (them Avs sure did awesome this season), was a key factor in the final stretch.

Brent Burns, who you blasted for months until you hopped on his bandwagon, has been awesome… he was putting up enough points before on defense. He had injury problems, got them figured out, and started producing. (good on Seto getting a goal tonight… he’s a playoff beast)

You can try and rewrite history, now that the Sharks, the same ones who you said wouldn’t make it out of the first round of the playoffs, are up 2-0.

You’re a joke.

Go Sharks!

Stevo

I think I can hear Martin Brody breaking needles…

Stevo

Man I’m going to love reading the Vancouver papers tomorrow.

(don’t get offended Big Guy – I always love to read your stuff)

Stevo

After watching the video, I have to give props to Marleau for not only driving the net on the game-tying goal, but during his follow through, he knees Lu in the back of the head which causes him to do a face plant in the crease.

Nice work there.

Lisa

275 Stevo
Me too! Vancouver Sun and The Province will slice and dice the ‘Nucks with no mercy.

SanJoseCupCrazy

MLB Douchbag: Nice of you to show up! Where have you been? Crying on the Giants blog that they’ve only won 2 of the last 3 series? Only you could make a negative post after a game like that.

Since you’re dense, let me spell it out for you…. SLLLLLLLLOWLY…. By saying this was a different team, I meant that the way they approach the game and carry themselves is different than the past….. Not that the team core, in itself, is different. Wouldn’t expect you to get that without a 3rd grade education.

It’s interesting to me that I post in here about once a week, yet you seem take such notice in what I write that you think you know what I represent on the team. Interesting that you have so little of a life that you study each and every person who posts in here. Stunning.

As for you, brainiac, you were the one CRYING after the Raffi trade and CRYING about Wilson….. and CRYING about McClellan…. and CRYING about Marleau. Stick Game 2 in your pipe and smoke it, you know-nothing. You have no clue what you’re talking about and have no right to enjoy what the rest of us are partaking in tonight. Go sell silly somewhere else.

SactoShark

JSJ discipline bro

Is the mastermind Roenick is still selling ambulance-chasing insurance online?

Somehow I doubt Patty will be undertakng this type of work after he retire

Lisa

In other play off news, Nabby and the Islanders beat the Penguins in Game 2!!!

SanJoseCupCrazy

Great stats….. Canucks are 2-10 in their last 12 playoff games and have lost 6 straight in front of their reject fans. Can’t say I’m sorry that they’ve been going home disappointed. 🙂

MLBSF

LOOOOOOOOOOOOL

From the Vancouver paper:

Terry Dillon · Top Commenter · Notre Dame College School
When this season is over and it looks like its two games from now Ryan Kessler should be named Captain. Those two identical Swedish meatballs were useless again, and Daniel flopping on his face on the tying goal was pathetic.

Um because in the eye of the publicity department, all former Sharks are garbage.

That’s why they bash them. It’s all part of the homer marketing strategy.

Lisa

269 Phil
I don’t think I was over selling Raffi’s hockey skills. I called Raffi a tweener if you may recall. Obviously after 13 years has passed, the potential shown back then is not the reality today. I just wanted to point out that Raffi is not just tough (or worse when he chooses to color outside the lines). Raffi does have soft hands and can pot in a goal here and there. Raffi will never be a Marleau or Couture or Kesler or Selanne or Kane. Raffi is a solid 3rd line forward who can also step into a 2nd line forward capacity for a while if need be.

Stevo

An extra bonus (for me anyway) – the Canuck that got burned on the gwg was Kevin Bieksa.

Sweet.

Stevo

Lisa,

Yeah, the Isles were on life support until that fight… then it was ON! A great game.

Lisa

Slice and dice of the ‘Nucks courtesy of the Vancouver Sun – ouch!

When the Sharks go into a slump ( and even the most optimistic of fans will admit this has happened before and will happen again) I wish the team would get a kick in the pants/wake up call like this….

MLB, you’re making even less sense than usual. First of all, don’t try to climb on the bandwagon now. You only make yourself look like a real idiot by doing that. You’ve stated your stance: you hated the direction of the team and wanted it blown up. Do not — DO NOT — come in here and act amused by the Vancouver paper’s stance or the team’s win. You’re on the outside looking in.

As for the “former Sharks” comment: Is this another attempt at revisionist history on your part? I think YOU were the one who bashed them on the way out the door, and while they were here as well. Real fans are rooting for the Rangers and the Penguins as long as they’re not playing against us, so that good guys who did good things here could see their name etched on a cup. YOU, loser, are the one that has “bashed” them.

Go back to baseball.

Stevo

The Nasty Itch is getting desperate. It usually appears when the Sharks are at a low point. Now it sees the likelihood of them getting into the 2nd round being pretty good, and it’s panic time.

Stevo: Think of me as the resident WTC goon. I’ll skate out and handle this. You guys just keep playing hockey. 😉

GDub

CLANG CLANG CLANG

Great win. I mean, they played poorly, got dominated physically, and still clawed it out. Good stuff. Oh Raffi Torres. Liking you this much hurts. It’s like being happy to have herpes.

Poor Pavs. He was dreadful tonight, and the two youngsters on the blueline need to pull themselves together. I still like that Irwin kid though. He’s gonna be a good one.

We better start answering the physicality or teams are gonna keep pounding us. Would be hard to escape that much beating through a whole playoff season.

So happy. The Sharks winning is my favorite thing. The Ca-schmucks losing is my second favorite thing. Them happening together, one because of the other is so glorious. I loathe those crybaby jerks!!!!!

GO SHARKS! Only 14 more.

MLBSF

@287

LOOOOOL

Lisa,

My favorite part was the sarcasm to finish up the column:

On the bright side, the Sharks did lose twice at home in regulation time during the 48-game regular season.

Stevo

Thanks for the link Lisa! As expected, Iain tore them a new one.

Ouch…

SanJoseCupCrazy

MLB: Are you that guy who gives someone bigger than you a tap with your stick, and when he turns to face you and drops his gloves, you skate away? Are you that kind of guy?

Stevo

Gdub #292 — CLASSIC!

[re Raffi] …Liking you this much hurts. It’s like being happy to have herpes.

ROFLMAO

Stevo

Hey Gdub,

Can you tell Phil some jokes? Loosen him up a bit?

Those actuaries/CPA’s are about as much fun as herpes, imo 😉

ZEKE

fwiw, the Sharks put 5 pucks behind Luongo — only 3 counted. Fortunately, that was enough. Great win, even though the ‘nucks won the battle on the ice.

Niemi has yet to get a star for either game, but he’s the series MVP so far.

Alex

Great win. Better be ready for Game 3 – very well may be the toughest game of the series yet for the Sharks.
Let’s keep it rolling, fellas!

Lisa

And related to the play offs – 2 years back – a drug store that was looted after the Canucks Game 7 loss vs the Bruins is suing some of them in small claims court to recover $50,000. I think that’s great. I wish businesses in the USA that get looted and damaged by teen mob “wilding’s” would do the same.